Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has played down the comparison of their comeback against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League four years ago ahead of their Europa League quarter-final second-leg clash against Atalanta on Thursday night.
The Reds lost 3-0 at home to La Dea last week and will have it all to do in turning the tie around when they travel to Gewiss Stadium for the return leg.
Some fans believe Liverpool can come back like they did against Barcelona during the 2018-19 Champions League semi-finals, reversing a 3-0 first-leg loss at Camp Nou to win 4-0 at Anfield and progress to the final which they won.
Klopp says he is not focused on a comeback but on winning the game in whichever way possible.
“What is similar? The result, definitely. The performance, not really. We played at that time an exceptional game and lost 3-0 [in Barcelona] and nobody knew how,” Klopp stated.
“I think we shouldn’t have lost the last game [against Atalanta] 3-0, but we were not as great as we were then in that game [in Barcelona]. And, we lost at home [last week] and are now away, that’s a massive difference. It’s really not about comparing or whatever. We are here and will try to win the game tomorrow, that’s all – and I think that’s what we should do.
“We will see if that’s possible. A lot of moments we had last week, really good moments, were unlucky but in the end they won, completely deserved. They played a really good game, we didn’t play extremely well. So, that’s it now. Let’s start with a much better performance, let’s try to win the game and then we will see how much time is left in the end, but that’s all.”
“Let’s start with a much better performance, let’s try to win the game and then we will see.”
Jürgen Klopp pre-Atalanta press conference 🗣️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 17, 2024
Should Liverpool pull a comeback against Atalanta, Klopp would lead Liverpool to the Europa League semi-finals for the second time having done so during the 2015-16 season when they went all the way to the final but lost to Sevilla.
